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Two suspects charged following dangerous pursuit

Two Red Deer residents face charges in the fallout of a dangerous pursuit that spanned through the areas of Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake.
Two Red Deer suspects allegedly involved in a dangerous pursuit that spanned through the areas of Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake face charges. A third suspect
Two Red Deer suspects allegedly involved in a dangerous pursuit that spanned through the areas of Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake face charges. A third suspect remains in recovery.

Two Red Deer residents face charges in the fallout of a dangerous pursuit that spanned through the areas of Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake.

A third suspect who was still recovering last week from injuries sustained during the Friday, Oct. 13 chase is also expected to face charges, police said.

Shae-Lee Phillips, 20, faces two charges ó possession of property over $5,000 as well as uttering threats.

Nicholas James Wales, also 20, faces the following eight charges: two counts of possession of property over $5,000; one count of uttering threats; breaking and entering a dwelling house and commit therein the indictable offence of theft; resisting arrest; failing to stop for police; breaking and entering a dwelling house and committing robbery; and assault with a weapon.

A court date had been set for Tuesday, Oct. 24 in Red Deer Provincial Court. Phillips was scheduled for a first appearance in Red Deer on Thursday, Nov. 2. Wales was scheduled for election and plea in Red Deer Oct. 31.

The third suspect is still in hospital and has not been charged as of yet, police said.

"Unfortunately these occurrences do happen," said RCMP media spokesperson Sgt. Jack Poitras during a phone interview with the Round Up.

"They were definitely on a rampage there," he said about the suspects.

Despite a few close calls, no members of the public or police were seriously hurt, the sergeant said.

On the morning of Oct. 13, Sundre RCMP received numerous complaints of an erratic pickup truck that was being driven in a threatening manner. The pickup was involved in ramming a civilian vehicle, and the civilian was struck by one of the suspects when he exited his vehicle.

The civilian suffered minor injuries as a result of the altercation and the matter is still under investigation.

The vehicle was subsequently determined to have been stolen earlier that day, and Sundre RCMP advised neighbouring detachments to keep an eye out for it.

By mid afternoon, the vehicle was spotted in the Rocky Mountain House district and attempts to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful.

At about 4:25 p.m., an officer from the Sylvan Lake RCMP detachment as well as a traffic member attempted to stop the vehicle north of Sylvan Lake as the suspects were now travelling east. During this attempt, police deployed a spike belt successfully and the suspects' vehicle turned around and the member discharged his firearm.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has launched an investigation and said the officer fired his weapon at a 20-year-old man and a 20-year-old female when the driver of the truck avoided the spike belt by turning around, resulting in an incident that led to the RCMP member's decision to discharge a police service weapon. As the truck passed, one of the officers noted three individuals inside.

RCMP continued their pursuit and the truck proceeded to ram an occupied RCMP vehicle, resulting in the police vehicle airbags deploying and that vehicle being disabled. As a result of the collision, the truck went into the ditch and became immobilized. The male driver and a male passenger exited and fled on foot. The female passenger was apprehended, transported to hospital and treated for minor injuries sustained during the first shooting.

The two men who fled entered two different rural properties in an attempt to steal another vehicle. Upon gaining access to another truck, the two men drove back towards the highway. Another incident occurred resulting in further discharging of police service weapons. The truck continued to travel a short distance across the highway, lost control, and then came to rest in the ditch.

Two of the three suspects were taken to the hospital with injuries. All three occupants of the stolen vehicle were located. The investigation remains ongoing and further details will be provided when they become available. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported to hospital where he remained as of last week with serious injuries. The male passenger was uninjured and taken into police custody.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact his or her local police detachment. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can reach Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by Short Message Service (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).

ASIRT is also asking anyone who might have witnessed any portion of the pursuit involving the truck and the RCMP in the areas of Highway 20 and Twp. Rd. 394 to call 403-592-4306.

ASIRT's mandate is to effectively, independently, and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta's police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.


Simon Ducatel

About the Author: Simon Ducatel

Simon Ducatel joined Mountain View Publishing in 2015 after working for the Vulcan Advocate since 2007, and graduated among the top of his class from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's journalism program in 2006.
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